Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 26 June 2025
316. Deputy Martin Daly asked the Minister for Health if consideration has been given under the National Development Plan to the inclusion of Galway University Hospital as a designated Model 4 Hospital incorporating a regional cancer network to serve the north west region, in line with the objectives of balanced regional development and Sláintecare; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [27746/25]
View answerGalway University Hospitals (GUH) comprises Merlin Park University Hospital and University Hospital Galway (UHG). UHG is the Model 4 hospital for the HSE West and Northwest region and is one of eight national designated cancer centres. Some localised cancer services operate out of smaller hospitals in the HSE West Northwest region and UHG also supports a satellite centre for breast cancer at Letterkenny.
In late 2023, Saolta convened a Capital Programme Oversight Board to develop a clinically led, holistic master planning approach for UHG. This master planning process has been informed by population health needs and clinical demand for the region and it is proposing a number of projects of significant scale on campus. When complete, UHG will provide state of the art Model 4 hospital facilities for the people of Galway and the HSE West and Northwest Region.
In order provide a clear plan for the sequencing and phased delivery of the much-needed new capacity and facilities, a Development Control Plan (DCP) for the campus has been completed. This DCP includes a new cancer centre among other facilities.
At the end of May 2025, my Department received a copy of the DCP and programme Strategic Assessment Report (SAR) for the proposals at UHG. These documents are currently being reviewed against the requirements of D/PENDR’s Infrastructure Guidelines and will be returned to the HSE with feedback, to be subsumed into the Preliminary Business Case (PBCs) for the first phases of the works which is under development. To deliver much needed new facilities at UHG a significant volume of enabling works will be required. The HSE has advised that initial enabling works on UHG campus to support this programme of works have begun.
The proposals for UHG, as well as the other significant ambitions we have for much-needed capital investment in our health system, form part of our ongoing engagement with the Department of Public Expenditure, NDP Delivery and Reform following Minister Chamber’s announcement of a review of the National Development Plan.
